ANTHOLOGIES - ELI FALL 2023

English Language Institute
Reflections
AN ANTHOLOGY
College of Staten Island
Center for Global Engagement
FALL 2023

ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE – FALL 2023 2

Reflections:
An Anthology
Reflections is a collection of writings by the students of
The English Language Institute
ELI Faculty
Keri Dugan
Gail Hernandez
Thomas Speirs
College of Staten Island
City University of New York 2800
Victory Boulevard
Building 2A, Room 206
Staten Island, New York, 10314
Email: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu
Website: www.csi.cuny.edu/eli
** Please note that these student writings do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The
English Language Institute and the College of Staten Island.

Table of content
Center for Global Engagement .......................................................................................................... 6
English Language Institute ................................................................................................................. 7
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 8
My Favorite City: Fuzhou ............................................................................................................... 9
Ying Chen
Coming to America ......................................................................................................................... 10
Mehmet Ozbey
Miracle and the Pearl of Ukraine................................................................................................. 11
Svitlana Nechynska
Studying English as a Second Language ................................................................................ 12
Arlino Cadena
My life in New York........................................................................................................................ 14
Claudia Martinez
Stepping Out of the Box for a Good Reason........................................................................... 17
Brian Acosta
The 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey................................................................. 22
Oznur Ozudogru
Encebollado....................................................................................................................................... 25
Christian Daniel Cedeno Ramirez
Cajas National Park Frozen Paradise........................................................................................ 26
Milton Crespo
No Winter Without Snowboarding............................................................................................. 28
Evgenii Markin
Kirov: My Cherished Hometown................................................................................................ 30
Kristina Filimonova
My Path to English......................................................................................................................... 32
Anastasia Ratnikova
My Marriage Proposal................................................................................................................... 34
Valentina Markina
My Love Story in New York City............................................................................................... 35
Soukaina Mabrour
The Things I Like.......................................................................................................................... 37
Semin Kim
Future of Humanity with AI....................................................................................................... 38
Katherine Villamil
My First Time in New York........................................................................................................ 39
Irina Boudnikov
Summarized Story of My Life..................................................................................................... 41
Joselin Albornoz
Julio Jaramillo.................................................................................................................................. 42
Guillermo Angamarca
Dad, My Hero: The Man Who Lights Up My World.......................................................... 43
Aicha Hadit

The overarching thrust of the Center and its activities is to be the driving force behind infusing
the campus with ideas and activities that support comprehensive internationalization. The
broad goals set forth below are designed to enhance comprehensive internationalization on
the campus:
• Offer unique programming for students, faculty, staff, and the local community that serves
the diverse needs of the broad spectrum of constituencies interested in international
education, ideas, themes, and activities.
• Expand the international outreach of the College including new opportunities for joint
research and scholarship through cooperative partnerships and programming at home and
abroad.
• Infuse the curriculum with global learning so that all students are presented with opportunities
that promote global-mindedness, cultural diversity, and international understanding.
• Position the College of Staten Island as a premier destination for international students and
scholars though rigorous academic offerings, innovative programming, and welcoming
policies.

The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and
innovative academic program for students learning English as a
second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and
engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and
the ethnicity of New York City.
At the English Language Institute, we understand that learning
English can be a difficult task. Our experienced and dedicated
instructors prepare and guide students through an amazing journey.
With patience and compassion, instructors encourage
students to reach their goals and attain academic excellence.
Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the
pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any
lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience.
The English Language Institute (ELI) at the College of Staten Island offers programs in
English and cultural orientation to international students, professional and business people,
visitors, and members of the local community.
ELI provides a supportive environment for language
learning: small classes, individual attention, highly
qualified faculty, and innovative teaching approaches help
students acquire confidence and develop fluency and
accuracy in English in an efficient and enjoyable way.
Through special focus classes, field trips, and visits to the unique cultural institutions of New
York City, students receive an orientation to American culture and an introduction to the US
system of higher education. Programs are offered at all levels of proficiency, from beginner to
advanced. Courses are designed to address the needs of students who require English for
academic, professional, or personal reasons.

Introduction
The following anthologies are entirely prepared by ELI students during the semester term they
spend studying at the English Language Institute (ELI) at the College of Staten Island/CUNY.
They prepare this academic work while having classes of grammar, reading and writing,
communications, and TOEFL preparation workshops, with the supervision of their ELI
teachers. Topics are chosen by ELI students and teachers and they reflect personal points of
view of the topics selected and facts and information researched by them.
ELI students dedicate time to make the
best articles and carefully prepare their
essays in and outside class. All ELI
students participate, from beginning to
advanced level. ELI wants to show their
work considering their English level in
order to become an academic tool for
future English-learning students.
Most of all, ELI wants to show content related to topics students may have experienced while
studying English in New York, an important topic in their home country, a current issue, or
any other topic they decided to write about.
ELI is very proud of the academic work that represents the outcomes of each student, who
not only learns English as a language but also is capable of expressing meaningful content-
based language.
Enjoy reading the anthologies!
English Language Institute College
of Staten Island

Ying Chen
China
ELI Teacher: Thomas Speirs
My Favorite City: Fuzhou
My favorite city is called Fuzhou. In the Fuzhou dialect, its name is Hujiu. It is the provincial
capital of Fujian Provence in China. It also has the name Rongcheng because the banyan tree,
called Rongshu in Chinese, is the symbol tree of Fuzhou. I like Fuzhou because this is where
I was born and I think it’s a beautiful city. There is a park in Fuzhou called Hong Guang Lake
Park. In Hong Guang Lake Park, there are many tall trees that have birds singing in them and
beautiful flowers with butterflies dancing in them. And of course, there is also a lake where
people can ride in boats.
I used to go to that park very often
with my friends. My friends and I
often went there to play
badminton. We also used to see
some old people playing Tai Chi in
the park, some people walking
alone or with their friends, some
people walking their dogs, some
people dancing and some children playing on the amusement facilities such as slides and
swings. Everyone was laughing and having fun.
There are many such beautiful and interesting parks in Fuzhou. For this reason, Fuzhou is a
very beautiful city, and people live very happily here.
Welcome to Fuzhou!

Mehmet Ozbey
Turkey
Teachers: Thomas Speirs/ Keri Dugan
Coming to America
I come from a city in Turkey called Mersin. It is a beautiful and medium-sized city along the
coast and at sea level. There I worked in the customs industry for many years. Although I love
my hometown, I decided to come to the United States to look for opportunities and have now
been living here for nine months. Here I am studying English as a Second Language at the
College of Staten Island.
One of the reasons that I came to the
United States was that I have a friend here
who has lived here for several years and
told me told me to come because of the
many opportunities that are available in
this country. Because the United States is
a big country with a lot of freedom, it means a lot of opportunities. America is the Land of
Opportunities! My goal is to do business here. I want to establish an import-export company.
However, after coming here, I realized that I needed to learn the English to really be successful.
Because in order to be able to sell your products, you must first introduce those products to
people. I have encountered problems at this stage, so I have enrolled in school to learn the
language. My first goal right now is to learn the English language as well as possible and then
continue my dreams here. I hope I will succeed.

Svitlana Nechynska
Ukraine
Teacher: Thomas Speirs
Miracle and the Pearl of Ukraine
In my hometown Uman, there is a picturesque place called the Miracle and Pearle of
Ukraine. This is the Sofiyivka Dendrological Park.
This park was built in 1796 by Earl Potocki and named after his wife Sofia. The park has an
area of 180 hectares and has a famous variety of trees, such as spruce, maple, pine, hazel, tulip
trees and shrubs of unusual and exotic species. The park has many statues, monuments,
columns, fountains, islands, rocks, valleys, lakes and grottoes. There are also 4 large ponds and
many pavilions. In Sofiyivka, you can ride a horse, or you can ride on a catamaran, rowboat or
gondola. Especially popular is a boat ride on the underground Acheron River.
Sofiyivka is a real fairy tale. Here everyone can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and
love. Sofiyivka is a very popular holiday destination and is a beautiful any time of the year.

Arlino Cadena
Dominican Republic
Teachers: Thomas Speirs / Keri Dugan
Studying English as a Second Language
Spending most of my life in Spanish-speaking countries such as the Dominican Republic and
Spain and then moving to the Bronx in New York when I first arrived in the United States, I
rarely had the chance to speak with anyone in any language other than Spanish. For this reason,
studying English as a second language is a challenge for me. However, now that I am living in
an English-speaking environment, it is necessary to have fluent conversational skills and good
grammar in English to know what people are trying to say. In addition, learning English is
necessary for finding a job and studying at a university or college.
Studying English opens up new opportunities for me to meet people from different cultures
and make new relationships for business and friendships. In addition, I would like to

understand this language better because my goal in life is to study medical coding and have
fluent conversations with everyone in the United States without limits.
Since English is the international language of business and technology, it is the most common
second language worldwide, so I think it is the most important language for me to learn as well
as possible because it will open up new opportunities for me in the United States and be very
useful for me to travel to other countries.
Even though I sometimes feel studying English is difficult, I will continue to study hard and
try my best to succeed.

Claudia Martinez
Colombia
My life in New York
I never thought I would live in New York and learn a new language. Living in Colombia
was really good. The food, weather and festivals around the country are very nice. However,
the security and economy of the country are not good. The lack of job opportunities makes
life difficult. However, Colombia is a great country because life always centers around family,
friends and work. Colombia is a multicultural country. In addition, Colombia has a long and
interesting history, big cities, beautiful beaches, delicious coffee, soccer, and music. All of this
makes Colombia an interesting and exciting country.

Even though life was pretty good for me in Colombia, I wanted to experience life in another
country and experience a different culture, so I decided to come to the United States and stay
for a few months. However, after being here for a few months, I made the decision to live in
New York. Although it was difficult to leave my family, my home and my friends, it was the
correct thing to do. Soon after I got to New York in January 2022, I realized that I had to begin
my life again and get used to many other cultures because New York is a multicultural city -
100% more so than Colombia. This is what I love that about New York. Nowadays and after
almost 2 years of living here, I have met people from many cities around the world, and I have
learned a lot from them. In fact, I have also traveled a lot and have been to beautiful places in
the United States such as Niagara Falls, Las Vegas and California.

On the other hand, having to learn English has been a challenge for me. However, at the
moment I feel happy because I have made great progress in my English language skills so far,
but I know it is a long road.
I have a lot of dreams, and I am working hard to achieve my goals. Being fluent in English
will help me accomplish them, so I will continue to study hard.

Brian Acosta
Ecuador
Stepping Out of the Box for a Good Reason
It was 2005, and at that time I was proudly part of my country's air force. I had the rank of
Captain, and after having had the experience of flying in combat aircrafts, I was assigned to a
passenger aircraft squadron which used three Twin Otters DHC-6s made in Canada with the
capacity of transporting 20 passengers plus crew and cargo. They were capable of operating
on remote runways, on dirt, grass and even on ice. Those wonderful aircrafts only require short
distances for takeoffs or landings.
This squadron had a special mission, and that was to
support the native communities in the jungle, where
there was no other means of transportation than air,
as there weren’t roads, and in some cases, no
navigable rivers. However, the aid did require the
passengers to pay a small amount of the expense
required for the operation of the plane. For this reason, the Air Force, by philosophy, is very
careful in handling the money collected from the tickets and government funds.
Now, I invite you to think about a scenario in the jungle, and what the residents’ daily needs
would be. Everything you can imagine entered these jungle villages by air. For example: salt,
hunting and fishing equipment, medications, matches, food, medicine, fuel for small boats if
applicable, cement, tools, even simple sewing needles had to be flown in.
Fifty minutes flight away (or three days crossing the jungle) from our base is a town named LA
SHELL with approximately 10,000 inhabitants. It is the supply center for much of the

Amazonian towns. As far as possible, the towns where this service is provided operate three
times weekly.
In addition to bringing supplies in, the natives use
this means of transportation to go out to
civilization for Administrative Proceedings,
medical care and to sell their products such as
cocoa, cassava, fruits, fish (fresh or smoked) from
their rivers, and even smoked monkey. Smoking meat and fish is a process to preserve food
since they do not have electricity for refrigerators.
One day, after several weeks that we had not been able to make the route to a town called
Montalvo, due to the weather conditions, we were able to get a flight into the air. The flight
was full of passengers on the outward route, but to come back to Shell there apparently would
not be passengers.

After landing in the Montalvo sector, in the middle of the jungle with seldom a village in sight,
the person in charge of selling the tickets told me that there weren’t any tickets sold. However,
there were three women who required transportation from Montalvo to Shell town, but they
did not have money to pay for the tickets. At that time because of my training and belief in
being compliant with military rules and careful with the state’s finances, my response was very
blunt. We could not take on nonpaying passengers.
However, after speaking with one of the three women and considering their unfortunate
situation, I changed my mind, and this case changed my way of leading my life. Initially,
because we had been hurrying to continue planning other flights, I did not agree to talk to the
ladies, but our mechanic asked me to listen to them. I got off the plane, and I still remember
that image clearly: a 90-year-old woman on the floor, on a cloth, held by 2 tree branches, very

ill, accompanied by her 25-year-old granddaughter and her 30-year-old grandniece. The
grandniece only had five dollars - the money to pay for one ticket.
The grandniece told me that they lived very far away in the jungle, and her aunt required
medical attention. The two women carried the 90-year-old woman through the jungle where
there were no roads or paths with the danger of wild animals and bad weather. Shortly after
leaving on their journey, their food had run out. (Can you imagine walking through the
vegetation of the jungle, where there is not even a path?) They had reached the bank of a river,
but due to the heavy rains it increased its flow, and it was impossible for the women to cross
it carrying the 90-year-old lady on an improvised stretcher. There they waited a week for the
flow of the river to go down and to be able to cross it on foot.
Finally, they arrived at the airfield. There was no construction there, other than a green area
between grass and dirt for small planes to land, and there they had been waiting for 3 days to
take our flight and without money. They were sleeping outside, only with the hope that they
would be able to travel without paying.
Faced with this information, I would never have forgiven myself for leaving them, so I helped
the sick lady get on the plane. The entire crew shed tears hearing the story. The empathy was
great, and while in flight, I contacted the Shell control tower and reported that we had a sick
person. They offered to coordinate an ambulance, and they told me about three options for
hospitals. Two were private hospitals which had ambulances, and the third option was the
public hospital but didn’t have an ambulance. A harsh reality! After landing, we directed the
aircraft to refuel, and while we did so, we discussed the situation with the man in charge of
refueling. He listened carefully and helped us by driving his vehicle to take the lady and her
companions to the hospital.
The final concern was that there would be no money to pay for her medical tests or
medication. Unfortunately, I never found out the eventual outcome of this situation.

That is the reality in a developing country.
As a result of this experience, I have come to believe that we should not lose our compassion or
humanity due to the rules and laws of our institutions.

Oznur Ozudogru
Turkey
Teachers: Thomas Speirs/ Keri Dugan
The 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey
On October 29, 2023, The Republic of Turkey celebrated its 100th anniversary. Turkey is a
country with a deep-rooted history and a rich culture, natural beauties, and where all four seasons
are experienced. Its neighbors are Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and
Syria. It is surrounded by seas on three sides - the Black Sea in the north, the Aegean Sea in the
west and the Mediterranean in the south. There are three different climate types in Turkey.
Mediterranean climate prevails on the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean coasts; Black Sea climate
prevails on the Black Sea coasts; and Continental climate prevails in the central and eastern regions.
The Republic of Turkey was founded on October 29, 1923, by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This was
a major turning point in Turkish history, as it marked the end of the Ottoman Empire and the
beginning of a new era for the Turkish people. The Ottoman Empire had been in decline for many
years, and it was defeated in World War I, and then Atatürk, a military officer and politician, led
the Turkish War of Independence, which resulted in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
The Republic of Turkey then became a secular state, and it introduced many reforms that

modernized the country. These reforms included the adoption of a new constitution, the
introduction of a new civil code, and the establishment of a national education system.
Many foreigners know our country through Cappadocia, but there are a lot more areas to visit. I
would like to present some pictures of many of these places to you.
My country has an excellent food culture as it has for places to visit. If you visit Turkey one day,
do not forget to eat baklava, Turkish breakfast, Turkish delights, Durum, kebab and manti.

I hope you liked this short text about Turkey. Turkey is a place with a lot of history, great food
and fascinating locations. I hope you visit it one day and remember the information in this text.
I am very happy that there is a magazine in which I can introduce my country and share all of this
in English. I would like to thank my school and teachers - Thomas and Keri.

Christian Daniel Cedeno Ramirez
Ecuador
Teacher: Gail Hernandez
Encebollado
Encebollado is a renowned and cherished seafood dish originating from the beautiful coastal
regions of Ecuador. This exquisite culinary creation is known for its vibrant flavors and cultural
significance in Ecuadorian cuisine.
The preparation of Encebollado is a
meticulous process. The fish is cooked
until it is tender but not overdone. The
onions impart a savory and slightly sweet
flavor to the broth. Yuca is boiled
alongside the fish until it's soft and adds
a satisfying texture to the soup.
Beyond its culinary appeal, Encebollado holds cultural significance in Ecuador. It is often
enjoyed during religious festivals and social gatherings.
Encebollado has a lot of health benefits. Tuna, it’s the primary ingredient. It is rich in omega-
3 fatty acids, which are known for their heart-healthy properties. The dish also provides a good
source of protein and essential nutrients.
In conclusion, encebollado is one of my favorite culinary masterpieces that embody the essence
of Ecuador's coastal culture and cuisine. Its delicious taste, cultural significance, and nutritional
advantages make it a standout dish that continues to capture the hearts and palates of food
enthusiasts around the world.

Milton Crespo
Ecuador
Cajas National Park Frozen Paradise
Cajas National Park, located in the province of Azuay, Ecuador, is my favorite nature reserve.
Its contribution to the environment is highly significant for the local life and a beautiful
experience for its visitors. Spanning approximately 28,544 hectares, the park is characterized
by its paramo landscapes, glacial lakes, rugged mountains, and its beauty that soothes the soul.
It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endemic and endangered species,
that nature cleanses the energy. The park offers various hiking routes through nature. Here you
can observe birds, trout to fish, and camp in beautiful places.
Furthermore, Cajas
National Park plays a
crucial role in regulating
and conserving water. It is
an important water source
for the city of Cuenca, my
hometown, and its
surrounding areas. The pure air fills my lungs, and my heart beats gets stronger than ever,
making me feel alive. It is a perfect place to connect with your inner self and clear the mind. I
have visited the park throughout my life and feel a clean, positive energy flowing through me
when I am there. It is a frozen paradise where I would like to live for eternity. This is why I
will ask my family when I die, to scatter my ashes in Cajas National Park.
The Cajas National Park, located in the province of Azuay, Ecuador, is a highly significant and
beautiful nature reserve. The area of the park is approximately 28,544 hectares and it is

characterized by its paramo landscapes, glacial lakes, and rugged mountains. It is home to a
diverse range of flora and fauna, including endemic and endangered species. The park offers a
variety of activities for visitors, such as hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and camping.
Furthermore, the Cajas National Park plays a crucial role in regulating and conserving water,
as it serves as an important water source for the city of Cuenca and its surrounding areas. The
protection and preservation of this fragile ecosystem are key objectives of the park, along with
promoting responsible tourism and environmental education.

Evgenii Markin
Russia
No Winter Without Snowboarding
One of my favorite passion is snowboarding in the Siberia forest. This hobby includes
some necessary points that makes my vacations unforgettable.
For instance, white snow which falls from December to May covers the forest and takes you
to a winter fairy tale. Mountains and local chalets (small houses surrounding the place) form
the best views that I have seen, I should say more about Siberia forest. Trees grow everywhere
adding new locations for extreme skiing. By the way, this is the only way I ski.
Extreme sports are an integral part of my life. Snowboarding is not the exception. The feeling
of freedom and adrenaline fill me with energy to conquer new heights in my business.
In addition, the skiing community is the friendliest I have ever met. Sharing uniforms and
helping in difficult moment is a mandatory rule of extreme sports. Skiing and being close to
untouched nature have always been an important part of my life.

It is the love of my hobby that motivates me to develop myself in a new country. I am looking
forward to the time when I can take my snowboard and conquer the mountains of the USA.

Kristina Filimonova
Russia
Kirov: My Cherished Hometown
Russia is a vast and diverse country, offering a multitude of unique cities and regions to explore.
Among the many remarkable places, Kirov holds a special place in my heart as my favorite
destination. Located in the heart of Russia, Kirov is not only a city with historical significance and
a vibrant cultural scene but also the place of my birth and the backdrop to my entire childhood.
Allow me to introduce you to the charms of my cherished hometown, Kirov.
Kirov, formerly known as Vyatka, is situated along the banks of the Vyatka River. Its rich history
dates back centuries, and the city has many historical landmarks to showcase. The most prominent
of these is the Aleksandrovsky Church, a stunning example of Russian architectural beauty. Visiting
this grand cathedral and taking in the intricate details of its design is a must for anyone exploring
Kirov.

What truly sets Kirov apart is the place of my birth and the backdrop to my entire childhood. It's
not just a city; it's the setting for my earliest memories and the foundation of my upbringing. Kirov
is where I took my first steps. Where I laughed and cried. Where I made my dearest friends, and
where I forged the foundation of who I am today. Its streets are imbued with the echoes of my
youth, and its landmarks are the backdrop to my personal history.
In conclusion, Kirov is not just my favorite place in Russia; it is my cherished hometown. Its
combination of rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty creates a unique and inviting
atmosphere.

Anastasia Ratnikova
Russia
My Path to English
I have always liked English. When I was a little girl, I was a big fan of Rachel Green from
the super popular American TV show Friends and Britney Spears, of course. The show was
translated into Russian, and I knew what the character Jenifer Aniston was talking about too.
The songs by Britney Spears I listened to in English. Every time, when I heard her songs, I try
to sing along, and this was my way to learn my first English words. I took the text of her songs
and a huge old dictionary and tried to translate them into the Russian language. It was difficult
because I did not know about tenses, idioms, slangs, and if you want to know the meaning of

phrases you should not translate word by word. I did not get a clear translation, but it really
inspired and pushed me to continue.
However, as it often happening, high school and university required more and more time and
my attention. It was period that my passion for learning English was waning, but I never forget
about learning English. My first job did not require English, but people around me were using
it.
Every day I heard English, and it motivated me. I eventually understood how important
English is. In my life, it will be able to give me more career opportunities. English opens the
door to knowledge.
I am not sure if it is my passion for learning English that led me to New York City, and
my English class in the College of Staten Island. I may have found my way to make my
childhood dreams come true.

Valentina Markina
Russia
My Marriage Proposal
It was a magical day in the Dominican Republic. I was surprised by my future husband when
we were on vacation. That day we went to a photo shoot, but Evgenii surprised me. First, we
flew by helicopter to a neighboring island. And when we rose high above the ocean, Evgenii
took out the cherished box with a ring and proposed to me.
I burst into tears from the emotions of
happiness that overwhelmed me! When
we landed on the island, our marriage
proposal was also written in the sand
with ribbons: Valentina, marry me! We
were greeted with champagne, and we
went to the hotel happily in a Cadillac!
At the hotel, we were greeted by close friends with flowers and congratulations.
I will always remember this day with a smile and tears in my eyes! The emotions I have
experienced since that day are forever in my heart! Evgenii is a wonderful husband, and a man
with whom I am very happy! I love him so much!

Soukaina Mabrour
Morocco
My Love Story in New York City
My story is like a fairy tale. It is perfect for a movie or a romance novel to buy on Valentine's
Day. If you would told me two years ago that I would be here where I am now, I might have
told you to calm down.
In August 2022, I had the
memorable encounter that would
fill me with happiness. I could
hardly believe it at the time, but this
kind, caring person became a
virtual part of my life for months.
As a result, a strong bond
developed between us.
One day, we began to dream of meeting in person. A vast ocean separated us, but we were
determined to meet.
While on a trip to visit my sister in Los Angeles, I decided to make a detour to New York City.
I ignored all the reports of girls being raped, murdered and dismembered, to meet this person.
My intuition was so strong that I immediately chased away any negative thoughts that might
have dissuaded me.
On the 11th of January, 2023, I saw him at JFK airport, holding a rose in his hand. He is so
beautiful, you would think he is a spring morning.

The next day, in a restaurant by the Hudson River, he made me the sweetest and most
honorable request of all to officially become his fiancée. A few months later, I became his wife
for life.
In a city as extraordinary as New York City, love has come true and continues to grow with
every God-given day.
However, the decision to leave everything behind
in a previous life, to create a new one, has never
been easy, but it has been worth it.
Away from my usual life, I have also met some
wonderful people and I've committed myself
strongly to learning the English language in the
College of Staten Island. I have also made friends
from all over the world.
This little story is, as I hope, is just the beginning of a wonderful journey that we have always
dreamed of. I will continue it proudly by the side of my dear husband Alla, for whom I bear
an unconditional love.

Semin Kim
South Korea
The Things I Like
When visiting a place for the first time, people usually feel many emotions, such as feelings of
excitement or happiness. But the first emotion I felt when I arrived in New York was feelings
of alertness and awareness. As I couldn’t fluently speak English in an unfamiliar place, it always
made me nervous. Thankfully, there were many Koreans in Queens, so I felt at peace whenever
I saw Koreans like me and heard Korean. Also, thanks to the restaurants run by Koreans, I
could experience the nostalgic taste I had in back home in Korea. Queens felt as if it were my
hometown and became my favorite city in New York.

Katherine Villamil
Colombia
Gail Hernandez
Future of Humanity with AI
A lot of times, I think about the future of humanity with technological advances and artificial
intelligence. I feel that it can be a challenge for society. With Als capabilities we can expect
advancement in various fields such as healthcare, transportation, and communication. AI has the
potential to revolutionize these industries and change our quality of life.
However, there are also concerns regarding the
impact of AI on jobs and employment. As AI
becomes more advance there is a possibility that
certain tasks and jobs may be automated leading
to unemployment.
Thinking about the pros and cons this is going to
be a challenge for the older generation Considering than the older generation is not familiar with
the constantly changes of technologist and its very hard for them learn by themselves just using
the computers to feel secure to using and giving information that is important and delicate.
However, for the new generation, this may require to acquire new skills and adapt to changing job
requirements. It is important for the new generation to embrace lifelong learning, develop critical
thinking, and continuously update their skills to thrive in an AI driven job market.

Irina Boudnikov
Russia
My First Time in New York
I never planned to visit the United States in my life. “Maybe… someday…” I thought. But
one day, quite accidentally, I had the opportunity to visit New York. Several of my paintings
were presented at an international art exhibition in Moscow. After the end of exhibition, I
received a letter from the organizers with an offer to present my artworks at an exhibition in
New York as a part of the international concept of the event. I agreed and flew.
I love to travel and have already visited many different countries and very interesting cities and
places. But a trip to New York always seemed out of reach to me, almost impossible. Not only
because of the expensive and long flight, but rather because of the exceptional difference and
uniqueness of this city. But still I arrived. On my very first day, I was absolutely amazed with
everything here! It seemed to me that stills from films that I had watched in a huge number
were simply flashing in front of me. To be honest, I even forgot for some time about the

purpose of my visit. However, the exhibition went well. During the two weeks it lasted, I
visited all of the most famous sights of the city: The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Broadway,
Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and Wall Street. And it was amazing! But the most
important thing is that it was unlike anything I had ever seen before in my life -an absolutely
unique city of its kind.
That was my first impression. Of course, this is a very expensive city; of course, people living
here work very hard and rest little; of course, in some places it is very dirty and even dangerous,
of course, it is hard to get from one end to the other here.
But despite all of this, millions of people from all over the world come and will come to this
beautiful city at least once in their life. No one remains indifferent because it is impossible to
remain indifferent after tasting the most delicious pizza in the world and seeing billions of
lights of the night skyline…

Joselin Albornoz
Venezuela
Summarized Story of My Life
I was born in Venezuela in the state of Guárico. I came from a small family with a lot of
education and values due to the professions of my parents. My father is a doctor and journalist,
and my mother is a psychologist. I have two siblings, one sister, and one brother.
My oldest sister is an international lawyer. She is my inspiration as well as my parents.
Meanwhile, my 18-year-old little brother has followed in my father's footsteps to become a
doctor.
In 2019, I graduated as a surgeon. In my family, the vast majority are doctors. My grandfather
was the first to discover Leprosy and Malaria in Margarita Island.
In the middle of 2020, I worked in the COVID field. I was selected for a Postgraduate Course
of Pediatrics which I studied for five months. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this dream.
In 2021, I arrived in the United States with new dreams and projects to accomplish. I am very
happy to be here, meeting new people, and learning a new language.

Guillermo Angamarca Espinoza
Ecuador
Gail Hernandez
Julio Jaramillo
Julio Jaramillo (October 1, 1935- February 9,1975) was the best singer in the history of
Ecuador. His nickname was “El Ruiseñor de America”. His songs spoke about love,
adventures, and break ups. Many people, not only in Ecuador, saw Julio Jaramillo as the face
of the music at this time.
Having lost his father when he was just a six-year-old boy, his mother worked as a nurse to
support the family. Julio was sickly during his childhood. He suffered from
bronchopneumonia, diphtheria, dysentery, and even had the beginning of infantile paralysis.
At the age of seventeen, he was known for his beautiful and warm voice. He participated in
radio programs at El Condor. He and other two friends went to visit the city of Esmeraldas
and Manabí singing around these and other cities.
His last tour around the world was in the USA
and Canada. With incredible support and love
for his fans, sang at these concerts abroad his
successful singles such as: Reminisencias, El o Yō,
and Nuestro Juramento. Singles that made the
entire world fall in love with his rhythm and
lyrics.
In conclusion, Julio Jaramillo was the first and one of the biggest artists that Ecuadorian
music has ever had even to this day. He died at the age of 43 years old in Guayaquil the city
where he was born.

Aicha Hadit
Morocco
Gail Hernandez
Dad, My Hero: The Man Who Lights Up My World
My dad is not just my favorite person; he is my hero. From the moment I came into this world,
he has been the guiding light in my life, and his love is like a warm and constant embrace.
There is something magical about a father-daughter bond. He is the one who can make any
problem disappear with a simple smile or a comforting hug.
I remember my first epilepsy crisis that I had before and how he was scared. Dad is the one
who transformed into a superhero during those moments, chasing away the fear and
comforting me. He held my hand, assuring me that everything would be okay. His presence
alone was like a soothing balm for my worries, and he would stay with me until I felt safe and
sound. He may not say ~ I love you~ every day, but his actions speak volumes. His sacrifices
and selflessness are the truest expressions of love.
Dad's love is a beacon of light that's guided me through the ups and downs of life especially
during the challenging times. He's the one who showed me what kindness, patience, and
strength truly mean. In his love, I have found the unwavering support that every child dreams
of. He is my protector. My confidant, my greatest supporter and the love that shapes my world.

www.csi.cuny.edu/eli
English Language Institute (ELI)
College of Staten Island/CUNY
2800 Victory Boulevard, 2A-206 Staten
Island, NY 10314 - USA
Phone: +1.718.982.2100
Email: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu

ANTHOLOGIES - ELI FALL 2023

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